The Triumph Herald was first manufactured in 1959 by Coventry's Standard-Triumph Company, at retailed at the relatively steep price of £700.

Despite initial slow sales, the model went on to sell over 50,000 vehicles, and a Triumph Herald was among the cars paraded around the stadium during the 2010 London Olympic Games closing ceremony.

The model also had starring roles in long-running series Heartbeat, where it was the car of choice of lead characters Nick and Kate Rowan, and Last of the Summer Wine, driven by Edie Pegden.

A Triumph Herald was notably used by Top Gear presenter James May in an ambitious attempt to create an amphibious car to cross the English Channel. The model now has pride of place in the Top Gear studio.

Another three vehicles from the private collection will also be auctioned;a Triumph Dolomite SE and a Triumph Dolomite, each with about 80 miles on the clock, and a 1960 Triumph Herald with 3,750 miles.

A mere 10 Dolomite SEs with wood door cappings and fluffy carpets are thought to remain on the road today.

Mr Belmore-Smith added: "I have never ever seen anything like it. It is absolutely amazing to see cars like these looking as if they have just come out of the showroom."